Envelope opener



Nov. 24, 1931.,

F- E. ANDERSON VELOPE OPENER Filed May e. 1950v l GJ MEN Lv* 2/ 20* f 20 Jlfljziems'am l r l O v @Hof/14 m o,

Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNTED STATES lln'rEN'rv OFFICE FRANK E. ANDERSON, OF DOUGLAS, WYOIVIIllTt',y .IASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FOURTHTOYLUKE DOYLE, OF PARKERTON, WYOMING ENVELOPE. OPENER Application led May 6, 1930. Serial No. 450,299.

This invention relates to envelope openers, the primary object of the invention being to provide an envelope opener so constructed that only a small portion of the envelope will be cut away, eliminating any .possibility of cutting the letter or contents of the envelope, during the opening operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character including a pivoted blade, a guide carried by theblade to provide a stop against which one end of the envelope being opened, may be positioned, the stop acting as a guide lto insure only a small portion of the envelope being cut away.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in theA details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, with out departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View through a device constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the support of the device, the view being taken at the opposite side of the device.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device comprises a base 5 which is formed with a longitudinal slot 6. the ends thereof being spaced from the ends of the base, as clearly shown by the drawings.

Extending upwardly from the base 5 and disposed adjacent to the ends of the slot 6, are posts 7 that are connected at their upper ends by means of the bar 8. Secured to the r base 5 by means of the bolt 9, is a bar 10 that "u has a right angled upper end 11 formed with an opening to receive the bolt 12, to hold the upper end of the bar in position. As shown, this bar 10 is arranged in spaced relation with the post 7 associated therewith, and defines a slot or guideway for the handle 13 to insure a true vertical movement of the handle, the slot or guideway being of a width to permit of free vertical movement of the handle, but restrict lateral movement thereof. The handle 13 is formed at one end of the blade 14 which has pivotal connection with one of the bars 7, at 15.

'l` he reference character 16 designates a guide plate which is secured to the outer side of the blade 14, the plate 16 being so spaced from the cutting edge of the blade 14, that the blade will act to cut only a small portion of the envelope, in opening the same.

A stop indicated at 17 extends upwardly from the base 5, and is disposed adjacent to the slot 6, so that when an envelope is placed on the base 5, it may be forced against the stop 17 so that the envelope may be positioned to cause the blade to cut at true right angles with respect to the side edges of the envelope.

Secured to the post 7 to which the blade 14 is pivotally connected, is a spring member 18 which is curved and positioned under the pin 19 that is carried by the blade. Thus it will be seen that when the handle and blade have been forced downwardly to cut an envelope, the handle and blade will be returned to their inactive position, when the handle is released by the operator.

The ldevice is supported by the legs 20 that are secured to the underside of the base 5, the legs having right angled ends 21 that are provided with openings to receive securing screws whereby the device may be secured to a suitable supporting surface.

I claim:

In an envelope opener, a. base, said base havingl a slot formed therein, posts rising from the base near the ends of the slot, said posts having their upper ends extended at right angles, a horizontal handle bar connected to the right angled ends of the posts, a guide bar having right angled upper and lower ends, the lower end of the last mentioned bar being secured to the horizontal bar, the guide bar being disposed in spaced .relationY with the post associated therewithV providing a guide Way, a blade pivotally connected at its Y 5 forward end to one of the posts, a handle forminga part of the blade and extended f through the guide Way, a guide plate secured to the blade and normally lying Within the I slot, and a stop extending from the base and 10 against which theenvelopeis positioned While being out by the blade. Y I In testimony that I Claim the foregoing as my oWn, I have hereto aHXed my signature.V FRANK E. ANDERSON. 15 v v eok f2 Y i 1,833,549 

